IPhone 4s = overanticipated

[Janx]

Here's a thread to talk about the iThing and keep the steve jobs thread more respectful.

I'm seeing a lot of articles about the iPhone 4s announcement being underwhelming.

I think people doing all the tech speculation are idiots. Apple has followed an annual leapfrog generation system.

They release the new generational model, the following year is a speedbump. The year after that is the new generation.

The iphone 5 should be coming out NEXT year. This year is the speedbump.

Speedbumps are what we call hardware revisions for cost reductions, alternate sourcing, and basic improvements. Almost always meant to slip into the same form factor.

Anybody expecting a 5 this year had unrealistic expectations when considering Apple's previous release pattern.

Oes that still make the 4s underwhelming? I dont recall the 3s being any glitzier when it was announced.

Like the 3s, the bigger innovations are in the iOS revision that everybody gets.

Also factor in 2 year contracts. Anybody aligned with the generations only cares about what Apple haswhen they are due for an upgrade.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I agree.

After 3G was the 3GS (faster processor, more memory, some internal improvements like compass)

Then we had 4G (new form factor, major hardware improvements)

Followed by 4GS (same form factor, minor improvements to processor, memory etc)

I'd expect 5G to be coming out next year.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Y'know...if you squint, "4S" looks a lot like "45".

I think it's a lot of fuss over a name, and agree that the rtech press has missed the recent cycle in the iPhones.

Probably WILL be buying one for my Dad's biz soon- there's a certain medical program he uses that is Mac only, so an iPhone is an ideal solution for him.

 

[Aeolius]

Siri is the potential game-changer and with the 4S, it is released in beta form. By the time Apple iron's out the kinks, the LTE chipset will be a more manageable size and perhaps a few new goodies can be thrown in.

I have always watched iOS, as a tool for home automation/assistive technology. Siri is a giant step forward, in that regard.

 

[Umbran]

I think also there's the simple fact that Apple's dominance is founded in large part on hype and customer loyalty. They need to stay high in the public eye to maintain that.

 

[Alan Shutko]

The hype leading up to an Apple announcement has always caused a letdown and their stock dips. (Unfortunately it didn't dip enough for me to buy in.) The rumors were even bigger this year because they posited that Apple was going to release not one, but TWO phones!

I was thinking about getting a new one since AT&T says I'm eligible, but my wife is still happy with her hand-me-down 3G (yes, the original 3G) so we'll probably wait.

 

[IronWolf]

I am sort of happy to see the 4s instead of an iPhone 5. It has a bit more polish to it, but nothing that makes me regret the iPhone 4 we bought Mrs. IronWolf at the beginning of the summer.

 

[Mallus]

All I know is the 4S looks like a significant step up from my current 3GS; faster chips, much better camera, potentially scary HAL-like voice interface.

I want one.

 

[Janx]

All I know is the 4S looks like a significant step up from my current 3GS; faster chips, much better camera, potentially scary HAL-like voice interface.

I want one.

To my way of thinking, you are the target demographic for iPhone users. You have a 2 year old phone and are ready for upgrade.

My wife's in the same boat. Her 3gS is shutting down randomly. A glitch in the battery meter or something. She's due for an upgrade. Whereas, I'm not dumb enough to upgrade my iPhone 4 in mid-contract.

I hope Siri will work well. I tend to wear wired-headsets a lot, and the voice recognition for dialing doesn't kick in, unlike a bluetooth. If Siri is easy to launch, I can dial while driving. (I do not text or dial while driving, or talk without headset on).

I think another win for Apple is finally supporting Sprint. That'll unlock a whole new set of new customers.

Anybody know what the trade-in rates are for prior model iPhones?

 

[Kobold Avenger]

Hardware-wise the 4S is roughly equivalent to the Samsung Galaxy S II which is already out, it does have a better camera and some varieties have more memory than that Samsung model, but that's about where it is in hardware.

As for Siri, even if it might be better for now than the Google Voice Search on many Android phones are currently, there are many situations where speaking into the phone just isn't preferable. Try doing it some place where there's a lot of noisy people around, it's something you'll probably not bother doing. And you have to speak clearly. Though voice commands are very convenient for calling a cab since those numbers I can never remember.

Personally in my opinion the best thing to come out of the 4s is the price drop in all earlier iPhones with apparently $100+contract for the 4 and free+contract for the 3gs. Because then nobody can use the excuse that iPhones are too expensive anymore, and therefore people have the phones and the brands they want.